Illuminate HC will take over nine former HCR ManorCare nursing homes in Michigan. The management contract gives Illuminate a portfolio including 1,054 beds and more than 1,500 employees.

The facilities will transition to the brand SKLD, according to a press release announcing the deal. They are located in greater Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Illuminate, which is headquartered in Evanston, Ill., according to the company’s LinkedIn profile, describes itself as “a market innovator in post-hospital care” that develops products, services and strategies for improving care, operational performance and staff satisfaction.

The company is planning more than $20 million in capital improvements, staff expansion, equipment and technology and personnel strategies.

All the facilities were sold to new owners as part of the planned divestiture of ManorCare facilities by real estate investment trust QCP, according to the release.

“Managing these nine properties is the first step in a broader plan to build a regional portfolio and to create a blueprint of fresh approaches to today’s clinical, regulatory, reimbursement and organizational pressures,” Illuminate HC President Harry Schayer* said in the release.

Schayer served as chief operating officer at Skokie, Ill-based Legacy Healthcare LLC for almost two years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Legacy is the operating partner of health care real estate investment firm Cascade Capital Group.

Illuminate was not immediately available for comment to Skilled Nursing News.

*An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed Harry Schayer’s name as Henry Schayer. Skilled Nursing News regrets the error.

Written by Maggie Flynn